Darlington councillor criticises police for leaving speed camera location in High Coniscliffe unmanned for two years

A COUNCILLOR has criticised police for leaving a speed camera location unmanned for two years.

In 2007, residents of High Coniscliffe, near Darlington, called for enforcement action after a survey showed more than half of the vehicles travelling through the area were speeding.

The village was listed as one of more than 100 locations covered by the police’s safety camera van, however, recent inquiries revealed that the van had not monitored traffic in the village since April 2012.

The most recent figures available date from 2011 and show that, in some cases, the camera, situated on the A67, had been triggered more than 50 times in just over an hour.

Ward councillor Gerald Lee said he had been shocked and disappointed to find that, despite the figures, the van had not been present for two years.

While traffic in the area is currently quieter than normal as a result of diversions following the recent landslip on the A67, Coun Lee warned that the volume will inevitably increase following repairs and could be higher than ever before.

Calling for the police to step up their enforcement measures in the area, he said: “In 2007, a traffic survey showed more than 44,000 vehicles travelling through the village in a week were going at more than 36mph.

“Those figures will no doubt have increased and it is a dangerous blackspot.

“People say it is difficult to get across the road, there is overtaking in silly places and it all boils down to careless and irresponsible driving and a lack of enforcement.”

A spokesman for Durham Constabulary said the area was not regarded as a priority site.

He added: “Over the last three years there have been only three injury accidents on that stretch of road, none of which resulted in serious injuries or were caused by excess speed.

“In the last few weeks local officers have been carrying out community speedwatch operations, in one session only two cars were recorded in an hour as exceeding the speed limit and on the second occasion, there were only three cars recorded as going too fast.

“The figures do not suggest there is a need for further enforcement, however it is our intention to carry out more sessions in the near future.”

think twice wrote:
Residents can always move into the safety of the town if they feel their lives are at risk!

But then you need to dodge the ever popular Transit Grand Prix!

A camera that generated 50 tickets in an hour the last time it was used??? Im sure the cash generated by those figures is nothing to do with why Coun Lee is demanding its return! Him and his crownies in the town could have a good night out with that :)

[quote][p][bold]think twice[/bold] wrote:
Residents can always move into the safety of the town if they feel their lives are at risk![/p][/quote]But then you need to dodge the ever popular Transit Grand Prix!
A camera that generated 50 tickets in an hour the last time it was used??? Im sure the cash generated by those figures is nothing to do with why Coun Lee is demanding its return! Him and his crownies in the town could have a good night out with that :)studio

Leave Councillor Ward alone - these people have to feel they are important and be seen to be doing something or we might not elect them.The fact that there isn't much of a speeding problem compared to other parts of the County are irrelevant but at least his name has appeared in the Echo !

Leave Councillor Ward alone - these people have to feel they are important and be seen to be doing something or we might not elect them.The fact that there isn't much of a speeding problem compared to other parts of the County are irrelevant but at least his name has appeared in the Echo !durhamchap

Political interference. One reason why we end up with speed cameras in areas of little risk. Put them in places where they will save lives and not places where they are intended to generate income. Remember the focus point on the Durham Police website "Identifying and reducing threats, risks and harm to the communities of County Durham and Darlington". Sometimes focus is lost when the elected ones get involved.

Political interference. One reason why we end up with speed cameras in areas of little risk. Put them in places where they will save lives and not places where they are intended to generate income. Remember the focus point on the Durham Police website "Identifying and reducing threats, risks and harm to the communities of County Durham and Darlington". Sometimes focus is lost when the elected ones get involved.Red rose lad

Whilst speeding is wrong, these cameras and vans with camera's cost a lot of money to purchase and especially operate. So the local bobbies probably found that things had calmed down enough at a given location to stop using it as a check point. The only winners are the local authorities, we know they are feeling the pinch, so it looks as if the motorist is about to bear the brunt of the cuts in fines,parking charges and anything else councils are about to come up with to screw us all.

Whilst speeding is wrong, these cameras and vans with camera's cost a lot of money to purchase and especially operate. So the local bobbies probably found that things had calmed down enough at a given location to stop using it as a check point. The only winners are the local authorities, we know they are feeling the pinch, so it looks as if the motorist is about to bear the brunt of the cuts in fines,parking charges and anything else councils are about to come up with to screw us all.oliviaden6

durhamchap wrote:
Leave Councillor Ward alone - these people have to feel they are important and be seen to be doing something or we might not elect them.The fact that there isn't much of a speeding problem compared to other parts of the County are irrelevant but at least his name has appeared in the Echo !

Well said Durham Chap!

[quote][p][bold]durhamchap[/bold] wrote:
Leave Councillor Ward alone - these people have to feel they are important and be seen to be doing something or we might not elect them.The fact that there isn't much of a speeding problem compared to other parts of the County are irrelevant but at least his name has appeared in the Echo ![/p][/quote]Well said Durham Chap!studio

So are we saying 'safety camera vans' aka speed camera vans, are supposed to be on sites where accident statistics are relevant. I live close to Coniscliffe Road where the limit goes from 30-40, I have not seen an accident here in the 12 years I have lived nearby.
So why is the camera van situated here on a regular basis?
If the statistics don't meet the criteria then surely its just there as a cash cow, but it is a deterrent as people do speed down this stretch of road.

As for High Consicliffe, have a a look at Skeeby Mr Lee, they have 'traffic calming' humps the length of the village which prevent speeding. A physical measure is always the most effective way of slowing traffic, but in a few weeks you won't have any through traffic, a good time to get your speed bumps fitted.

So are we saying 'safety camera vans' aka speed camera vans, are supposed to be on sites where accident statistics are relevant. I live close to Coniscliffe Road where the limit goes from 30-40, I have not seen an accident here in the 12 years I have lived nearby.
So why is the camera van situated here on a regular basis?
If the statistics don't meet the criteria then surely its just there as a cash cow, but it is a deterrent as people do speed down this stretch of road.
As for High Consicliffe, have a a look at Skeeby Mr Lee, they have 'traffic calming' humps the length of the village which prevent speeding. A physical measure is always the most effective way of slowing traffic, but in a few weeks you won't have any through traffic, a good time to get your speed bumps fitted.Living in the real world

“Over the last three years there have been only three injury accidents on that stretch of road, none of which resulted in serious injuries or were caused by excess speed."

But Tory t0sser Gerald Lee still wants motorists to suffer tax fines for doing 35 in a 30 for driving along a main road which the police themselves say is of no concern, and causes no problems.

Get rid of Labour, and the Tories. Vote UKIP!

“Over the last three years there have been only three injury accidents on that stretch of road, none of which resulted in serious injuries or were caused by excess speed."
But Tory t0sser Gerald Lee still wants motorists to suffer tax fines for doing 35 in a 30 for driving along a main road which the police themselves say is of no concern, and causes no problems.
Get rid of Labour, and the Tories. Vote UKIP!behonest

Like most councillors - he lives in cuckoo fantasy land where he believes their ward has the biggest most pressing issues and the police have unlimited resources to tackle his 'problems' at the drop of a hat. Elections must be looming!

Like most councillors - he lives in cuckoo fantasy land where he believes their ward has the biggest most pressing issues and the police have unlimited resources to tackle his 'problems' at the drop of a hat. Elections must be looming!stevegg

I'm more surprised the council hasn't installed chicanes and speed bumps all along that road......oh wait a minute, that's right, there are wealthy and influential people that live out there so best not upset those in this particular area. Bit like Mowden & Blackwell. No traffic calming measures to be seen anywhere. We're all equal remember...but some are more equal than others. This Council of thieves are utter and complete scum.

I'm more surprised the council hasn't installed chicanes and speed bumps all along that road......oh wait a minute, that's right, there are wealthy and influential people that live out there so best not upset those in this particular area. Bit like Mowden & Blackwell. No traffic calming measures to be seen anywhere. We're all equal remember...but some are more equal than others. This Council of thieves are utter and complete scum.thetruthyoucanthandlethetruth

Drivers whom currrently speed between 2 points will continue to do so, drop a speed camera on route will only force them unsafely apply brakes then once passed the camera, depress on the accelerator and continue as before.

To me this is more unsafe and accident prone than just leaving them to it.

Driving fast does not mean you drive poorly.

Drivers whom currrently speed between 2 points will continue to do so, drop a speed camera on route will only force them unsafely apply brakes then once passed the camera, depress on the accelerator and continue as before.
To me this is more unsafe and accident prone than just leaving them to it.
Driving fast does not mean you drive poorly.MartinMo

thetruthyoucanthandl
ethetruth wrote:
I'm more surprised the council hasn't installed chicanes and speed bumps all along that road......oh wait a minute, that's right, there are wealthy and influential people that live out there so best not upset those in this particular area. Bit like Mowden &amp; Blackwell. No traffic calming measures to be seen anywhere. We're all equal remember...but some are more equal than others. This Council of thieves are utter and complete scum.

Apart from the traffic calming measures outside both schools in Mowden of course...

[quote][p][bold]thetruthyoucanthandl
ethetruth[/bold] wrote:
I'm more surprised the council hasn't installed chicanes and speed bumps all along that road......oh wait a minute, that's right, there are wealthy and influential people that live out there so best not upset those in this particular area. Bit like Mowden & Blackwell. No traffic calming measures to be seen anywhere. We're all equal remember...but some are more equal than others. This Council of thieves are utter and complete scum.[/p][/quote]Apart from the traffic calming measures outside both schools in Mowden of course...andygib263

There's no need to install speed bumps.
The residents on that road are doing a good enough job in limiting the speed of the through traffic by the number of cars that they leave parked on the road.

There's no need to install speed bumps.
The residents on that road are doing a good enough job in limiting the speed of the through traffic by the number of cars that they leave parked on the road.cheapside

ethetruth wrote:
I'm more surprised the council hasn't installed chicanes and speed bumps all along that road......oh wait a minute, that's right, there are wealthy and influential people that live out there so best not upset those in this particular area. Bit like Mowden &amp; Blackwell. No traffic calming measures to be seen anywhere. We're all equal remember...but some are more equal than others. This Council of thieves are utter and complete scum.

Apart from the traffic calming measures outside both schools in Mowden of course...

Yes apart from those two very localized places - which is perfectly understandable by the way, and which I am aware of but forgot to mention.

[quote][p][bold]andygib263[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]thetruthyoucanthandl
ethetruth[/bold] wrote:
I'm more surprised the council hasn't installed chicanes and speed bumps all along that road......oh wait a minute, that's right, there are wealthy and influential people that live out there so best not upset those in this particular area. Bit like Mowden & Blackwell. No traffic calming measures to be seen anywhere. We're all equal remember...but some are more equal than others. This Council of thieves are utter and complete scum.[/p][/quote]Apart from the traffic calming measures outside both schools in Mowden of course...[/p][/quote]Yes apart from those two very localized places - which is perfectly understandable by the way, and which I am aware of but forgot to mention.thetruthyoucanthandlethetruth